Welcome to the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) website

The International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) is a tool for organizing all jobs in the world into a clearly defined set of groups according to the tasks and duties undertaken in the job. ISCO is developed by the Department of Statistics of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and is one of the main international classifications for which the ILO is responsible. It belongs to the International family of economic and social classifications.

ISCO main aims are to provide:

• a basis for the international reporting, comparison and exchange of statistical and administrative data about occupations;
• a model for the development of national and regional classifications of occupations; and
• a system that can be used directly in countries that have not developed their own national classifications.

The current version of the International Standard Classification of Occupations is ISCO-08. It is the fourth iteration and replaces previous versions of ISCO.

• Browse a code or title in ISCO-08 : browsing ISCO-08 structure with search function.
• Download ISCO-08 material: such as ISCO-08 Volume 1, ISCO-08 Index of occupational titles, etc.

The role of the Department of Statistics is to ensure that ISCO fulfils its objectives; it has the mandate and responsibility to:

• Maintain ISCO and submit proposals for its updating or revision for discussion and adoption by the International Conference of Labour Statisticians (ICLS), or by duly authorized meetings of experts and for endorsement by the Governing Body of the International Labour Organization;
• Provide technical support to countries for development, implementation, maintenance, and revision of the classification;
• Prepare and disseminate methods and materials, i.e., explanatory notes, indexes, correspondence tables, and other tools and resources.

Contact us: Questions concerning ISCO can be sent by mail to: isco@ilo.org